Lower School Teacher

Duke School offers an exceptional learning experience. With an emphasis on inquiry, students explore science and social studies topics through a project-based approach. Instruction in reading, writing, and math is delivered through a workshop model. This engaging and rigorous environment challenges students to forge their own paths to learning. Duke School comprises grades preschool-eight. Each grade in the elementary division has two classrooms. Two highly qualified teachers work collaboratively in each class with 22-24 students. We are seeking an exceptional elementary teacher with a sound understanding of best practices in teaching to begin in August 2023. The ideal candidate will have an elementary education degree and at least three years of teaching experience. Commitment to the academic and social/emotional growth of students is essential. Being able to work collaboratively with a teaching partner is critical for this position. Compensation and benefits are competitive with Durham Public Schools. To Apply: Please e-mail your resume, including a list of references along with a cover letter to teach@dukeschool.org. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. Compensation is commensurate with experience and abilities and reflective of local salary levels. JOB PURPOSE: Duke School seeks an experienced lower school teacher for a full-time position for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a 10-month, on-campus position, five days per week, Monday through Friday, and requires evening and weekend work at times. Duke School teachers are champions of children. They are responsible for supporting the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth of their students and facilitating a classroom community of respect, kindness, and responsibility. Duke School teachers are collaborative, lifelong learners who are experts at their craft. They design and execute effective learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and guided by evidence-based practices and cognitive research. Lower School teachers work in teaching partnerships where two teachers in one classroom are equally responsible for the planning, delivery, and communication of the educational program while adhering to Duke School’s philosophy and methodology. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Effectively collaborates with partner teacher in the delivery of instruction, ensuring that both teachers are actively utilized for student benefit. ● Manages the classroom to ensure a physically and emotionally safe climate at all times for self and students ● Effectively plans, implements, assesses, and communicates student learning ● Designs instruction that applies a pedagogical approach aligned to appropriate child developmental stages ● Uses varied methods of instruction and assessment that are in accordance with Duke School’s mission, curriculum, and educational philosophy ● Implements a variety of brain-based teaching strategies including movement, interleaving, and other effective strategies informed by the learning sciences to maximize each student’s learning potential ● Effectively implements best-practice pedagogical strategies that include a variety and balance of direct instruction, individual student practice, whole-class discussion, collaborative learning, inquiry-based learning, experiential, and hands-on learning ● Reflects on lesson design, implementation, and student outcomes and makes adjustments to ensure student success ● Responds to needs of the whole class and individual students and collaborates with the counseling and learning support staff to understand and implement teaching practices recommended in student growth plans ● Aligns curriculum with teachers of the same grade level ● Clearly defines and communicates expectations for student success ● Understands the strengths and growth areas of each student ● Uses assessments as a student learning tool by providing clear and timely feedback so students can learn from their mistakes and set goals for independent growth. ● Maintains appropriate records of student progress ● Communicates in a timely manner with students and parents to inform them about successes, progress, and/or concerns ● Reviews student progress with families at portfolio conferences in October and March and in written reports in January and June ● Sets annual professional goals and makes progress towards accomplishing them with the support of the Lower School Division Director and the Director of Curriculum. ● Supervises children during lunch and recess and at all times while in his/her care ● Creates and maintains a clean, attractive, and stimulating learning spaces that documents student learning ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Shares in the day-to-day life of the school community, which includes attending assemblies and community gatherings, participating in committees (i.e., grade level team, academic committee), and fulfilling assigned duties (such as daily lunch supervision, daily carline, etc.) ● Attends all faculty meetings, professional development sessions, parent nights, 8th Grade Graduation, and occasional weekend or evening events as stated by the Lower School Division Director or Head of School ● Displays professionalism and integrity when interacting with those in the Duke School community ● Supports the work of the Admissions Office by hosting and assessing visiting students in the classroom ● Adheres to the policies written in the Employee Handbook